Bengals hand Steelers their first loss

The Cincinnati Bengals have won three in a row and have proven that they can beat the best in the AFC as they defeated division-rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals handed the Steelers their first loss of the season, 26-11, Sunday afternoon at Cinergy Field.

The Steelers scored on a 58-yard bomb from QB Kordell Stewart to WR Yancy Thigpen to cut the lead to 19-11. Then David Dunn took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 78 yards to set the Bengals up deep in Steeler territory. A few plays later, Kijana Carter plunged in the end zone from 2-yards out and put the game away, 26-11.

Bengal QB Jeff Blake threw for 204 yards and a TD. RB Corey Dillon rushed for 40 yards and caught two passes including an 18-yard TD reception.

The Bengal defense held Pittsburgh RB Jerome Bettis to 70 yards rushing. Kordell Stewart threw for 320 yards and the bomb to Thigpen but threw a pick too. The Bengals held Stewart to just 8 yards rushing. The Steelers turned the ball over 4 times, including 3 fumbles.

The Bengals (4-3) will try to increase their winning streak to 4 as they travel to the Meadowlands to take on the Giants. The Steelers (6-1) will try to get back to their winning ways as they take on the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars.

1997 Game 105 Stats